Monday, August 10, 2009

Durham Bulls Beat Syracuse Chiefs 11-5

After falling down 2-0 to Syracuse in the top of the second inning, the Bulls rallied back, scoring eight unanswered runs on their way to an 11-5 lopsided victory over the Chiefs Sunday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

With the score 2-1 in the bottom of the second, Bulls first baseman Chris Richard deposited Ross Detwiler’s 3-1 pitch over the wall in right-center field for a two-run homer to put Durham on top 3-2. Richard finished the day 2-5 with three RBI, a walk and a strikeout.

The Bulls would add to that lead with three more multi-run innings to close out the night. Durham batters collected 18 total hits, a season high. Elliot Johnson and Jon Weber led the way with three hits a piece with Johnson collecting three RBIs.

Durham starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine (4-1) picked up the win after tossing six innings in which the right-hander allowed three runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer to Mike Morse in the second, while walking three and striking out two.

The Bulls’ win forced a 2-2 split in their series with Syracuse. They now begin a four-game road trip on Monday with the Gwinnett Braves, with whom they are currently tied with for first place in the International League South Division. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-0) takes the mound against Braves righty Todd Redmond with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.